Photography in Edinburgh by

Robert Blomfield

Where is it?

Photos of Edinburgh

Here are a few photos from a large collection taken by Robert Blomfield  in Edinburgh between 1956 and 1967 while training to be a Doctor.  (Robert now lives in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, England.)

Thank you to  Robert's brother, Johnny, for sending these photos to me.  Johnny Blomfield tells me that Robert discovered Henri Cartier Bresson very early, and has regarded him as his main inspiration ever since.

Johnny is in the process of scanning and cataloguing the photos.  He'd like to discover the locations of the photos below.  If you recognise any of the locations, please email me, then I'll pass on the news to Johnny.

Thank you

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  March 15, 2013

 

Photography in Edinburgh

Where is it?

I've received several replies to this question,
and have added them in red type below.

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1960

1.

Young Bros. Yard
Oakfield, Dumbiedykes

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1960

2.

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1960

3.

Near Deaconess Hospital
West Richmond Street

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1965

4.

John Cordona

Reigo Street, Tollcross?

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1965

5.

Portgower Place

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1965

6.

Bedford Street, Stockbridge

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1965

7.

Niddry Street South
off the Cowgate

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1965

8.

North West Circus Place
Stockbridge

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1965

9.

Charles Street

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1964

10.

Bedford Street, Stockbridge

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1965

11.

James Court
off Lawnmarket, Royal Mile

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1960

12.

Aird's Pub

Arthur Street

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1960

13.

Harrison Park and Watson Crescent

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

1960

14.

Freer Street, Fountainbridge?

 

Update

1.

Johnny Blomfield

Edinburgh

Thank you to Johnny Blomfield for writing to tell me more about his brother's photos.

Johnny wrote:

Web Site

Robert Blomfield's Street Photography

"I thought you might like to know that Robert's children have created a web site featuring Robert Blomfield's Street Photography."

Forth Road Bridge Photos

"You'll notice that there are a some of the Forth Road Bridge under construction.

I was delighted to also see the 1962 Bob Cowe photos of the Forth Road Bridge under construction.  Robert and I went up the bridge at about that time, when the cables were in place but the carriageway not started.

Forth Road Bridge under construction - 1962 ©

We didn't take any lift.  We just walked up the catwalk alongside one of the cables, as far as mid-stream, where we left a little memento of our visit, and then went back again.

Robert didn't take any photos of that visit as it was in the middle of the night.   Now we can see what it was like!  Security was pretty minimal in those days.

Johnny Blomfield, Edinburgh:  June 11, 2015

Web Site

Robert Blomfield's Street Photography

The web site that Johnny refers to above has a brief biography of Robert Blomfield, together with his portfolio of photos, now digitized and displayed in nine sections, four of which relate to Edinburgh.

There are many more Edinburgh photos than the 14 that Johnny sent to me above, including some wonderful photos, capturing well the atmosphere of a bygone age.

I'm pleased to see Robert Blomfield's Street Photography web site.  It should enable Robert's photos to reach and be appreciated by a far wider audience that it deserves.

The web site includes a brief biography of Robert, together with his portfolio of photos, broken down into these sections:

Edinburgh 1956-60:       37 photos

Edinburgh 1961-64:       38 photos

Edinburgh 1965:           165 photos

Edinburgh 1966-69:     112 photos

Gorbals  1966:                24 photos

London  1958-67:          29 photos

Sheffield  1952-57:        32 photos

Istanbul by Bicycle  1960:       13 photos

Farnborough Airshow  1957:   3 photos - more coming soon

Peter Stubbs:  June 11, 2015

 

Where and When?      More photos

Around Edinburgh

 

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